Modular visual output component

ABSTRACT

In a first aspect there is provided a modular visual output component for a gaming machine, including a housing, at least one visual output device, an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device, and an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector. The input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration with the modular visual output components abutting one another, whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/057,114 filed Mar. 27, 2008, which claimspriority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007901652,filed Mar. 28, 2007, entitled “A Modular Visual Output Component,” thecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a modular visual outputcomponent, a visual output apparatus, and a visual output kit.

Some gaming machines are provided with a light tower (sometimes known asa “Candle”) mounted to the top of the gaming machine. Such light towershave a plurality of different coloured lights provided by amonochromatic lens in the desired colour and a filament lamp forlighting the lens. These provide discrete lights which are lit inresponse to the operating state of the machine such as a fault or asecurity breach or in response to a player request for a personalservice such as collecting a jackpot payout or ordering a beverage.

Each different coloured light confers a different meaning which may bedependent on the venue or gaming regulations of the jurisdiction withinwhich the gaming machine is located. Similarly, the order of thecoloured lights may also be subject to variation based on the venue orthe jurisdictions regulations.

Accordingly, current light towers are custom-built.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect there is provided a modular visual output componentfor a gaming machine, comprising:

-   -   a housing;    -   at least one visual output device;    -   an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output        device; and    -   an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector,        the input and output connectors being arranged relative to the        housing and shaped such that the output connector can be        connected to an input connector of a further modular visual        output component having the same configuration with the modular        visual output components abutting one another, whereby two or        more modular visual output components can be joined to one        another and supplied from a common power source.

In an embodiment, the input and output connectors are at oppositesurfaces of the housing.

In an embodiment, one of the input and output connectors is a plug andthe other is a socket.

In an embodiment, the modular visual output component is furtherarranged to be part of a vertical stack of modular visual outputcomponents.

In an embodiment, each at least one visual output device comprises alight source.

In an embodiment, the light source is controllable and the inputconnector is adapted to receive a control signal for the light source.

In an embodiment, the input and output connectors are coupled such thata control signal for the light source of a further modular visual outputcomponent can be passed from the input to the output connector.

In an embodiment, the light source is operable to output at least twocolours of light.

In an embodiment, the control signal specifies at least the colour to beoutput.

In an embodiment, the at least one visual output device comprises adisplay.

In an embodiment, the modular visual output component comprises a firstvisual output device in the form of a display and a second visual outputdevice in the form of at least one light source.

In an embodiment, the input connector is adapted to receive a controlsignal for the display.

In an embodiment, the input and output connectors are coupled such thata control signal for a display of a further modular visual outputcomponent can be passed from the input to the output connector.

In a second aspect there is provided a visual output apparatus for agaming machine comprising:

-   -   at least one modular visual output component, each comprising:        -   a housing;        -   at least one visual output device;        -   an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output            device; and        -   an output connector electrically coupled to the input            connector, the input and output connectors being arranged            relative to the housing and shaped such that the output            connector can be connected to an input connector of a            further modular visual output component having the same            configuration whereby two or more modular visual output            components can be joined to one another and supplied from a            common power source; and    -   a controller arranged to supply control signals for each at        least one visual output device to an input connector of one        modular visual output component.

In an embodiment, the visual output apparatus comprises a plurality ofmodular visual output components connected to one another in abuttingrelation.

In an embodiment, the visual output apparatus comprises between 2 and 4modular visual output components.

In an embodiment, the visual output apparatus comprises a base unitadapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modularvisual output components.

In an embodiment, the visual output apparatus comprises an intermediatetrim component between each adjoining modular visual output component.

In an embodiment, the visual output apparatus comprises a cover memberfor covering at least the output connector of a modular visual outputcomponent furthest from the base unit.

In an embodiment, the visual output apparatus comprises the controlleris programmable to specify the number of modular visual outputcomponents connected to the controller.

In a third aspect there is provided a visual output kit for a gamingmachine comprising:

-   -   at least one modular visual output component each comprising:        -   a housing;        -   at least one visual output device;        -   an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output            device; and        -   an output connector electrically coupled to the input            connector, the input and output connectors being arranged            relative to the housing and shaped such that the output            connector can be connected to an input connector of a            further modular visual output component having the same            configuration whereby two or more modular visual output            components can be joined to one another and supplied from a            common power source; and    -   a controller adapted to supply control signals for each at least        one visual output device to an input connector of one modular        visual output component.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a visual output component for agaming machine comprising:

-   -   a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion        through which light may emitted from the housing;        -   a display; and        -   a light source positioned within the housing at a position            where light emitted from the light source will illuminate            the display and be separately emitted through at least part            of the at least one light transmissive portion.

In an embodiment, the display is a reflective display and the lightsource is positioned to illuminate a front of the display.

In an embodiment, the display is a transmissive display and the lightsource is positioned to illuminate a rear of the display.

In an embodiment, the light source is positioned between the display anda reflector located within the housing, such that light emitted from thelight source is reflected from the reflector to at least partiallyilluminate the display.

In an embodiment, the display is mounted within a recess in the housing.

In an embodiment, the housing has a substantially circular sectionexcept where the display is mounted.

In an embodiment, the housing is substantially cylindrical and comprisescircular upper and lower support members with the light transmissiveportion mounted therebetween.

In an embodiment, the at least one light transmissive portion comprisesa lens.

In an embodiment, the visual output component comprises an inputconnector accessible in the region of the lower support member and anoutput connector accessible in the region of the upper support member.

In an embodiment, the visual output component comprises a transversecircuit board is mounted within the housing and the connectors aremounted to the transverse circuit board.

In an embodiment, the visual output component comprises the transversecircuit board is arranged to carry at least some control signals fromthe input connector to the output connector.

In a fifth aspect there is provided a visual output apparatus for agaming machine comprising:

-   -   at least one visual output component, each visual output        component comprising:        -   a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion            through which light may emitted from the housing;        -   a display; and        -   a light source positioned within the housing at a position            where light emitted from the light source will illuminate            the display and be separately emitted through at least part            of emitted through the at least one light transmissive            portion;    -   a controller adapted to supply control signals for each display        and each light source to an input connector of one modular        visual output component.

In a sixth aspect there is provided a visual output kit for a gamingmachine comprising:

-   -   at least one visual output component, each visual output        component comprising:        -   a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion            through which light may emitted from the housing;        -   a display; and        -   a light source positioned within the housing at a position            where light emitted from the light source will illuminate            the display and be separately emitted through at least part            of emitted through the at least one light transmissive            portion; and    -   a controller adapted to supply control signals for each display        and each light source to an input connector of one modular        visual output component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described in relationto the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing the structure of a memory;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of visual output apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a visual output apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further visual output apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a further visual outputapparatus;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a visual output component without the upperprinted wiring board;

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the segment of FIG. 8 but with theupper printed wiring port; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing how visual output apparatus can beset up in a gaming network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment provides a modular visual output component thatincorporates a multi-coloured light source and a display. The modularvisual output component can be used to construct a visual outputapparatus in the form of an improved light tower. In one embodiment,each segment of the light tower incorporates a display. The modularvisual output component can be supplied as one component of a visualoutput kit. The visual output component enables the construction oflight towers of any desired height and having any number of segments.Typically, the light towers will consist of two to four modular visualoutput components. Each modular visual output component has a clear ortranslucent lens and a multi-coloured light source which can becontrolled to provide a variety of different output colours. The lightsources are advantageously arranged so that they can also act as a backor front light for display when it is in the form of an LCD (liquidcrystal display) or similar display. The incorporation of the LCD allowsadditional information to be communicated. As the light source ismulti-coloured, it can be used both to provide an appropriate colouredlight for illuminating an LCD and to provide a lighting colourappropriate for its position in the light tower. Further, the order ofthe coloured lights may be readily varied or altered.

The embodiment is described in relation to an example where a lighttower is placed on a gaming machine so that lights can be lit inresponse to the operating state of the machine such as a fault or asecurity breach or in response to a player request for a personalservice such as collecting a jackpot payout or ordering a beverage.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in the case of a gamingmachine, most aspects of the game are implemented on the game machinealthough functions such as a jackpot function may be implemented on aremote server when a gaming machine is part of a gaming network.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that in server based gaming,a player may operate an interactive video terminal rather than a gamingmachine to play the game. The interactive video terminal acts a clientand implements some parts of the game, such as output of images to thedisplay and receipt of gaming instructions from buttons or a touchscreen while other aspects of the game are implemented on a gamingserver. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that light towerscan also be applied to such interactive video terminals.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 1. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. A reading device may also be providedfor the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as partof a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of acard, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of beingread by the reading device.

The top box 26 has a display for example a video display unit, which maybe of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type. Thedisplays 14 and 25 shown in FIG. 2 are in the form of a video displayunit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device.

The gaming machine 10 has a tower light 400 mounted to the top surface41. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typicalgaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gamingmachine of FIG. 1.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 arestored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with theprocessor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include bothvolatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type ofmemory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, acard and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/orcoin input mechanism 110, a coin output mechanism 111 and a light tower400. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specificimplementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

The embodiment is adapted to replace the prior art of a light towercomprised of multiple segments and monochrome lenses each illuminated bya filament lamp. Each modular visual output component has a lighttransmissive portion of the housing in the form of a substantially clearor translucent lens that is illuminated by at least one multi-colouredlight source. The lens is substantially clear or translucent in thesense that it is a substantially untinted optical element such therewill be no significant change to colour balance as light passes throughit.

The multi-coloured light source may be a multicoloured LED (lightemitting diode). Hence the visual output component can be electricallyprogrammed to emit an appropriate colour rather than it being necessaryto produce a light of the correct colour and mechanically manipulate thelight segments to be in the correct order to provide the desired visualcommunication scheme. The addition of a display allows communication inthe form of the display of text or other graphic messages, when themulti-coloured light source is illuminated. In other words, the displayof the illuminated component confers specific messages and functions.Thus, a service attendant who was unfamiliar with the meaning of aparticular coloured light component does not have to approach thecentral diagnostic system to determine what message is conferred by thatlight.

Further, each modular visual output component is designed to operateindependently and as such is adapted with interlocking connectors atboth ends of the segment that allow ease of replacement and scalability.As described in further detail below, one or more light sources may actas a back light for the LCD. The lights may be placed in front or to theside of the display if the LCD is a reflective LCD rather than atransmissive LCD.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a light tower 400 that has onemodular visual output component 420.

The modular output component 420 has a lower input connector 421, anupper output connector 422, a lens 423 and a display 424. The lighttower has a base unit 410 with an upper output connector 412 such thatwhen the input connector 421 is in inserted into the output connector412, control signals and power can be supplied to the modular visualoutput component 420. An upper cover 430 is used to provide an aestheticcover to the modular visual output component 420 and complete the top ofthe tower. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that rather thanproviding a base unit, it would be possible to provide a connector in anupper surface of a gaming machine to which the light tower is to bemounted. Further, in FIG. 4 and throughout the specification all upperconnectors 412, 422 are shown as sockets and all lower connectors 421 asshown as plugs. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that theplug and socket can be reversed and also that different types ofconnectors can be used. An advantage of the plug and socket connectorsshown in FIG. 4 is that they provide both electrical and mechanicalconnection.

Referring to FIG. 5, a controller for a modular visual output component400 is provided by the game processing unit 102 which outputs controlsignals via the serial communication interface. These control signalsare based on routines executed by the game processing unit to monitorfor faults, security breaches or particular player requests. A personskilled in the art will appreciate that these routines could beimplemented as hardware, for example by a dedicated circuit, rather thansoftware running on the game processing unit 102.

The modular visual output component has a microcontroller unit 510 thatinterprets the signals and when it determines that the control signalsrelate to it, it either controls the light driver 520 to control thelight source 525 or the display interface 530 to control the display535. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the connectors 421are multi-pin connectors. Some of the pins carry power (typically two)and other pins carry control signals.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show two alternate light towers 400A, 400B that can beconstructed in accordance with the embodiment. Light tower 400A has twomodular visual output components 420A, 420B and light tower 400B has afour modular components, 420A, 420B, 420C, 420D.

FIG. 7 shows that an intermediate trim 440 is provided between eachabutting pair of modular components 420 to enhance the visual appearanceof the light tower 400B, 400A. Thus light tower 400B has threeintermediate trims 440A, 440B, 440C.

It will be appreciated from the above that the embodiments of thepresent invention can be provided in a kit form where a kit comprised ofan upper cover, a base unit, one or modular components, and one or moreintermediate trims can be provided in order to be formed into a lighttower of desired configuration. The controller can be provided, forexample, in the form of control software to execute on the processor102.

Further details of each modular component 420 are provided in FIGS. 8and 9. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modular component 420 with the upperprinted wiring board.

The modular component 420 has a substantially cylindrical lens 423 witha recess that accommodates and a layer of thermoplastic material 840that diffuses the illumination of a light source 820, 830. In otherwords, the lens acts as a light dispersing optical element. Each lightsource 820, 830 is a multi-colour light emitting diode (LED). Themodular component is electrically programmable to provide any colour ofillumination to match a game venue or a game theme. Although six lightsources 820, 830 are transposed across a segment, each light source canbe independently operated to provide specific illumination intensity andcolour patterns.

The reflective medium 840 disposed around the inner portion of the lensacts as a light reflector which facilitates visibility and improvedintensity of the illumination whenever any one of the light sources isenergised. Secondly, the light reflector 840 can also act as a backlightto a transmissive LCD For instance, the two inner light sources 830provided behind the display are adapted to improve the viewing for atransmissive LCD. Similarly, a light source 820D disposed at the frontportion of the lens is adapted to provide a front light for a reflectiveLCD: this significantly enhances viewing in dimly lit environments. Thelight sources disposed at the rear 820C and side portions 830A, 830B ofthe lens provide an angular visibility of the segment, when the visualindicating device is mounted on top of a gaming machine and viewed froma distance.

A transverse printed circuit board (PCB) 810 is disposed across thecentre portion of the modular component to provide a mechanical supportfor the upper connector 422 and the lower connector (not shown in FIG.8). The PCB 810 also provide an electrical connection between the upperoutput connector 422 and a game processing unit 102 that resides in agaming machine, so that signals (and power) can be supplied to a furthermodular component.

An encoder 860 disposed at the upper portion of the transverse PCB 810is adapted to provide an identity or address mechanism for an individualmodular component 420 in a light tower that has more than one modularcomponent 420. The encoder 860 may be a mechanically encoded switch oran electrically programmable read only memory such as PROM, EPROM,EEPROM, or flash memory. An application program designed to configurethe operational aspect of a light tower having a plurality of segmentsis able to recognise and to configure the functionality of individualmodular components while in the set up or normal operating mode. Duringset up, the application program automatically polls the light tower todetect an address code from each of the modular components 420 andallocate an appropriate address code, if electrical programmable memoryis used. The application program will notify of any conflicting addresscodes among the modular components 420 if a mechanical encoded switch isused. Thus, allowing a competent technician to reset the address codepreviously set on each of the encoded switches.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section through line A-A of FIG. 8. Display 424 isdisposed in front of a recessed portion 423A of the cylindrical lens423. A light source 820D disposed at the front end of a lower PCB isadapted to provide a front lighting for a reflective LCD. Two innerlights sources (not shown on the drawing) disposed at the front portionof the lower PCB adjacent to the rear of the display are adapted toprovide back lighting for a transmissive LCD. The reflective medium 840surrounding the inner portion of the lens 422 is adapted to act as alight reflector that facilitates to disperse the illumination from thelight sources 820, 830 to enhance visibility from a distance.

FIG. 10 illustrates an operating system for setting up light towers in agaming venue. The operating system may include a network 1020,operatively interfaced between a console 1030 and a plurality of gamingmachines 1010. The network may be a local area network (LAN) withinterconnectivity provided by cables such as Ethernet or the like, orwireless connectivity such as IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN or the like. Theconsole may be a smart terminal, personal computer, workstation, or thelike.

The configuration program 1045 resides in a gaming server 1040, designedto configure the operational aspect of the light tower. When the program1045 is executed, a table or menu is displayed on a screen of a consolewhich allows authorised personnel of a gaming venue to program and toconfigure the functional features or themes for the light towers throughthe network. The program 1045 is adapted to detect and to communicatewith individual modular components of each light tower mounted on agaming machine, irrespective of the number of components. As describedabove, the modular component has an encoder that provides a uniqueaddress code. A machine specific configuration program containing theoperational aspect is generated from the gaming server 1040 anddownloaded to a flash memory device that resides on a game processingunit 102 of a gaming machine 100, upon completion of the configurationsetup and exiting the configuration program 1045. There is a provisionin the program 1045 to conduct a mass change or set-up all the lighttowers at the gaming venue in a single step.

However, in an alternative embodiment of setting up or reprogramming,the application program may be embedded in the game processing unit ofthe gaming machine. Thus, the programming can be performed through atouch sensitive screen such as the video display monitor or the playerinput means such as the push button switches, on the gaming machine.

Furthermore, in another alternative embodiment, the setting up orreprogramming may be performed with a handheld, portable wirelessdevice. The game processing unit that resides in the gaming machine willalso be equipped with a wireless communication adaptor to interact withthe portable wireless device during set up, and to receive the downloadof the configuration program upon completion of the setting up. Theconfiguration program will be stored in a flash memory transposed on thegame processing unit.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variationsmay be made to the invention without departing from the scope and spiritof the invention described herein. For example, rather than a liquidcrystal display it may be possible for the display to be formed fromanother display technology of appropriate size such as by employing anOLED, (organic light emitting diode). Further, while in the embodimentit has been described that all the lights 820, 830 are multi-coloured,those lights that are dedicated to providing a backlight function 820may be a colour that is better suited to acting as a backlight. Further,the control circuit may control the multi-coloured lights to lightsseparately, for example, all lights may initially be lit with the colourappropriate to the modular component, then the backlight lights may beswitched to white light or similar by pressing of a function button onthe gaming machine to illuminate the message.

The above embodiment has been described in relation to the case whereeach modular component 420 incorporates both a display and at least onelight source. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that somebenefits of certain embodiments of the invention may be obtained byproviding modular components that have only one of a light source or adisplay. Thus, perhaps only one of a set of four modular componentswould have a display.

The above embodiment has been described in relation to producing avertical light tower. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that alight tower may be formed into other shapes, for example it may beformed by a set of horizontally connected block shaped component orcomponents arranged to be connected to form an arch while stillmaintaining the modularity of certain embodiments of the presentinvention. A person skilled in the art will also appreciate that variousdifferent connector locations are achievable while maintaining themodularity of certain embodiments of the present invention. Othermodifications will be apparent to the skilled person.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description ofembodiments of the invention, except where the context requiresotherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word“comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used inan inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated featuresbut not to preclude the presence or addition of further features invarious embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art inany country.

1. A visual output component for a gaming machine comprising: a housingcomprising at least one light transmissive portion through which lightmay emitted from the housing; a display; and a light source positionedwithin the housing at a position where light emitted from the lightsource will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through atleast part of the at least one light transmissive portion.
 2. A visualoutput component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is areflective display and the light source is positioned to illuminate afront of the display.
 3. A visual output component as claimed in claim1, wherein the display is a transmissive display and the light source ispositioned to illuminate a rear of the display.
 4. A visual outputcomponent as claimed in claim 3, wherein the light source is positionedbetween the display and a reflector located within the housing, suchthat light emitted from the light source is reflected from the reflectorto at least partially illuminate the display.
 5. A visual outputcomponent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is mounted within arecess in the housing.
 6. A visual output component as claimed in claim1, wherein the housing has a substantially circular section except wherethe display is mounted.
 7. A visual output component as claimed in claim1, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical and comprisescircular upper and lower support members with the light transmissiveportion mounted therebetween.
 8. A visual output component as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the at least one light transmissive portion comprises alens.
 9. A visual output component as claimed in claim 1, comprising aninput connector accessible in the region of the lower support member andan output connector accessible in the region of the upper supportmember.
 10. A visual output component as claimed in claim 9, comprisinga transverse circuit board is mounted within the housing and theconnectors are mounted to the transverse circuit board.
 11. A visualoutput component as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transverse circuitboard is arranged to carry at least some control signals from the inputconnector to the output connector.
 12. A visual output apparatus for agaming machine comprising: at least one visual output component, eachvisual output component comprising: a housing comprising at least onelight transmissive portion through which light may emitted from thehousing; a display; and a light source positioned within the housing ata position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate thedisplay and be separately emitted through at least part of emittedthrough the at least one light transmissive portion; a controlleradapted to supply control signals for each display and each light sourceto an input connector of one modular visual output component.
 13. Avisual output apparatus as claimed in claim 12 comprising a plurality ofmodular visual output components connected to one another in abuttingrelation.
 14. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 12,comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components.
 15. Avisual output apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising abase unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of themodular visual output components.
 16. A visual output apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, comprising an intermediate trim component betweeneach adjoining modular visual output component.
 17. A visual outputapparatus as claimed in claim 12, comprising a cover member for coveringat least the output connector of a modular visual output componentfurthest from the base unit.
 18. A visual output apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the controller is programmable to specify the numberof modular visual output components connected to the controller.
 19. Avisual output kit for a gaming machine comprising: at least one visualoutput component, each visual output component comprising: a housingcomprising at least one light transmissive portion through which lightmay emitted from the housing; a display; and a light source positionedwithin the housing at a position where light emitted from the lightsource will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through atleast part of emitted through the at least one light transmissiveportion; and a controller adapted to supply control signals for eachdisplay and each light source to an input connector of one modularvisual output component.
 20. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 19,comprising a plurality of modular visual output components connected toone another in abutting relation.
 21. A visual output kit as claimed inclaim 19, comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components.22. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 19, further comprising abase unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of themodular visual output components.
 23. A visual output kit as claimed inclaim 19, comprising one or more intermediate trim components adapted tobe placed between each adjoining modular visual output component.
 24. Avisual output kit as claimed in claim 19, comprising a cover member forcovering at least the output connector of a modular visual outputcomponent furthest from the base unit.
 25. A visual output kit asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the controller is programmable to specifythe number of modular visual output components connected to thecontroller.